Variety (December 1907)

124 Pages SECOND ANNIVERSARY NUMBER TEN CENTS vol." ix., fio. r: DECEMBER 14, 1907. PRICE TEN CENTS. MORRIS ADVERTISING FOR VAUDEVILLE THEATRES Advertisements Asking for Houses Placed in Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington Papers No Theatre For Rent in This City, I have carefully investigated every theatre property In tliis elty and find that not one Is for rent. 1 want a theatre with seating ca- pacity from 1,800 to 2,200 on or near a prominent thoroughfare for presenta- tion of vaudeville. The present vaudeville theatre In this city is now and has been for Home years playing to capacity busi- ness and turning people away. There are now five theatres playing legitimate attractions here. If legiti- mate theatres can be run at a profit, there is certainly room in this town for another vaudeville house to be operated at great profit. 1 can secure the services of the lead- ing vaudeville tictors and artists in this country and Europe. I am prepared to lease a theatre already built, or will take a lease for a long term on a new theatre to be built for me. I am ready to invest my own funds with the owners toward the erection of It. All communications treated with strict confidence. WILLIAM MORRIS, 1440 Broadway, New York City. The above advertisement appeared in the Cincinnati "Enquirer" Inst Sunday (De- cember 8th), and a similarly worded ad- vertisement was in the Pittsburg, Balti- more and Washington papers on the same day. Mr. Morris said when asked the object of the advertisement that it meant just what it said ; that the cities where it ap- peared do not contain houses operated by Klaw & Erlanger for vaudeville, and he was at liberty to seek locations in these towns. Several replies had been received, said Mr. Morris, and they each contained a business-like proposal which would be given his immediate consideration. Mr. Morris would not make any state- ment regarding his plans for other large cities. His contract with Klaw & Er lauger did not permit him to enter into ne- gotiations for or play vaudeville in any place where a K. & E. vaudeville house ex- isted, remarked Mr. Morris, and it was his intention to live up to his agreement. On Wednesday Mr. Morris left New York to be gone a week or more. His des- tination was not given out and all informa- tion was refused. There seems to be an opinion prevailing that Mr. Morris has "something up his sleeve," but no one apparently can fathom the mystery. At the William Morris office nothing can be gleaned, either from the principal or from any of his subordin- ates, and it is not admitted that anything is brewing, although all indications point that way. Asked when his promised statement would be forthcoming Mr. Morris replied he was not in a position to give out any- thing now, and would not say anything for publication until everything was fully settled. Of the cities where the Morris adver- tisement was placed two, Cincinnati and Pitlsburg, are well known to have no avail- able vaudeville house. Robinson's Opera House in the Ohio town is not situated for the better grade of bill, while Klaw & Er- langer were obliged to abandon vaudeville at the Duquesne, Pittsburg, upon their failure to secure another theatre there, Harry Davis, the manager of the Grand Opera House, Pittsbun?, blocking all moves by directly or indirectly controlling all the theatres in the Smoky City which might play a variety show with profit. In Washington P. It. Chase is the sole vaudeville purveyor, the city being "tied up" between Klaw & Erlanger and the Burlesque Wheels, while Baltimore is in the same condition. Baltimore's only house available, the Academy of Music, tried vaudeville for a while, but it was not pro fitablc. The Maryland is the present United house there. K. & E. CLOSINGS COMING FAST. The closing of the Klaw & Erlanger vaudeville theatres yet open will arrive in rapid succession within the next month. Next week (Dec. 10) the Grand Opera House, Brooklyn, puts up the shutters to the variety shows, taking them down again the following Monday for the Milton Aborn Opera Company. A quick decision was made for the retirement of vaudeville from this theatre when the Sunday concert edict was rendered last week. A profit was too vague a proposition without the thirteenth and fourteenth performances. The week following the Edwin Forrest in Philadelphia will wind up its vaudeville season, that having been decided upon, and the Auditorium, Chicago, takes the home stretch week of January 13th. The same date sees the beginning of the end at the Tremont, Boston, and the week after will be the last for the Teck, Buf- falo; this latter house being compelled to remain open to afford a break in the "jump" from New York to Chicago or the reverse. The New York will close February 1st, and with it the reign of Klaw & Erlanger as the promoters of "Advanced Vaude- ' ville." MANAGER REILLY SHOT TO DEATH. San Francisco, Dec. 13. A report from Sacramento brings news of the death of Mike Reilly, former man- ager of the Grand Theatre in that town. Reilly became engaged in an altercation and received a pistol shot wound. WATERT0WN QUITS. Watertown, N. Y., Dec. 13. The Orpheum Theatre here, playing popular priced shows booked by William Morris in New York, will close tempo- rarily Saturday night. It may re-open. SHERMAN HOUSE LOSES FRANK. Chicago, Dec. 13. What the Sherman House loses in the loss of the services of Abe Frank as manager, Rector's restaurant gains. Mr. Frank resigned as the manager of the well known theatrical hostelry in this city during the week, and will Immedi- ately enter upon his managerial duties at the restaurant. CAN'T PLAY WITHOUT CONSENT. Placards have been posted in the United Booking Offices, notifying acts that they must not book outside engagements (clubs, etc.) without first notifying the United, to which they are under contract. This is in accordance with clauses 3 and 7 of the United contract which specify "the services of the party of the second part" are held exclusively by the United, and other engagements may not be taken without its cognizance. TRJLY SHATTUCK IN BERLIN. "The Wintergarten, Berlin," will be Truly Shattuck's address during March next, according to her agent, M. S. Ben- tham. Miss Shattuck has accepted an engage- ment in the Berlin popular resort, and may remain longer on the Continent after her arrival. A condition of the contract calling for Miss Shattuck's appearance at the Win- tergarten is that she wear tights while on the stage. KILLED IN AUTO WRECK. Des Moines, la., Dec. 13. B, T. Getchell, of Gctchell and Elbert, was instantly killed in an automobile ac- cident here last week. Mr. Getchell was the owner of several moving picturfe houses in this and other cities. Several other persons who were members of the unfortunate auto party were injured seri- ously, one of them dying later. JOE HOWARD BUYS PLAY. Chicago, Dec. 13. The interests held by Mort H. Singer and Jos. Harris in "The Flower of the Rancho" have been purchased by Joe Howard, who will soon open with the piece at the Whitney Opera House in this city. MAJESTIC TURNS TO STOCK. Cincinnati, Dec. 13. The Majestic, Indianapolis, recently passed to the control of the Anderson- Xiegler Company, which will conduct it as a dramatic stock theatre. Manager Fisher, of the Forepaugh Stock Company of this city, will manage the house.